Indicator fob taximeters



Oct. 27, 1925. 1,558,874

H. B. HEWITT INDICATOR FOR TAXIMETERS Filed July 25. 1924lmllllllllllulm Patented Oct. 27, 1925.

HOWARD'B. HEWITT, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

INDICATOR FOR TAXIMETERS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HOWARD l3. l-Inwrrr, a citizen of the United States,residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in thefare when said vehicle is occupied by a passenger.

The objects of the invention are First, to devise an attachment of thecharacter above referred to whereby the owners of vehicles for hire canbe protected against fraud by their employees, and it can be quickly andreadily detected whether the taximeter is in proper gear either in theday or night independent of what speed said vehicle passes within viewof an inspector or other person employed for detecting irregular orfraudulent use of the taxicab.

Second, to devise a mechanism of the character indicated which consistsof a minimum number of elements that can be readily, quickly and cheaplyattached to all existing, popular and efficient forms of taximeterswithout the useof special tools or highly skilled labor.

Third, to provide an attachment of the nature and use herein pointed outwhich is not only simple in construction but at the same. time isfool-proof and has the maximum efficiency in exposing any attempt at alltimes of the day or night to defraud by failure to actuate the recordingor timing devices or elements of the taximeter provided in vehicles forhire or taxica-bs.

Fourth, other objects and advantages of the invention will appear and bemanifest from the detailed description of the parts to be presentlygiven.

This invention consists of structural characteristics and relativearrangements of elements to be more fully hereinafter described andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings in which similar reference characters indicate the sameparts in the several figures.

Figure 1 is a perspective of a taximeter Application filed July 23,1924. Serial No. 727,682.

with my improvement attached thereto, and in its operative position orwhen the taximeter is recording, and

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1. showing the position theimprovement as sumes when the taximeter is out of gear and notrecording.

Referring to the drawings, 10 represents any one of the approved orusual forms of taximeters which is attached in front of the taxicab andin proximity to the driver seated in a drivers or chauiieufs seat 11.and the recording or registering mechanism within its casing 12, notshown, is actuated by a flexible shaft 13, or other suitable means, wellunderstood and needs no further disclosure.

Said ta-Ximeter 10 is also provided with the usual and common form ofarm 14, connected with and oscillating the usual shaft 15, whichactuates the mechanisms for throwing in and out of gear a train ofmechanism actuated by the flexible shaft 13 or other mechanism, for thepurpose of operating the recording or registering elements of thetaximeter, the construction of which and manner of operating and usingthe same is well known and needs no further e planation or showing.

16 is the usual indicator secured to or made integral with the arm 14having the legend Vacant or, any other word or words, as For hire, ordifferent colors as white, red, green, etc. indicating whether thevehicle is free.

The foregoing elements both in structural characteristics and manner ofarrangement and operation are all old and forms no part of the presentinvention per se.

Secured to the side or any other section of thetaxi meter or its casing12 is provided a bracket 17 having an electric socket 18 adapted toreceive an electric or signal light globe 19, which is preferably greenin color and plainly visible to inspectors when the flag 16 is in theposition shown in Figure 1, and passing along a thormurhfai'e.

20 is an opaque casing which preferably surrounds the greater and lowerpart of the signal or electric light globe 19 and leaves only the uppersection or crown of the globe exposed, as shown in Figure 1, and forpurposes to be presently described.

The lower side of the bracket is usually constructed with a bayonetjoint 21 or other suitable and similar arrangement for receiving theplug 22 carrying the cable 23 enclosing wires 24; and 25 for supplyingthe necessary current from the storage battery (not shown), said globeor light 19 and side or running light of the cab or car (not shown)preferably being in the same circuit and controlled by the same switch.

26 is a hood or covering secured or made integral with the indicator 16and is so proportioned andv arranged that when the arm 14 is in theposition to make the taximeter inoperative, said hood or covering 26will seat itself over and cover or eclipse the upper end or crown of thesignal light 19 and assume the position shown in Figure 2.

The parts being shown and arranged as just described and illustrated, itwill be clearly seen that when the indicator 16 and arm 14. are in theposition shown in Figure 1, and the mechanism for operating thetaximeter or shaft 15 is in gear with the driving flexible shaft, orother means 13, the signal light 19 is clearly visible at night to theinspector and the taximeter is fully registering the correct fare.

Should the cab be parked, or moving without a passenger to answer acall, the shaft 15 carrying the indicator 16 and arm 14 is in itsinoperative position so far as the taximeter is concerned and as shownin Figure 2 and the light 19 is not visible. showing to the inspectorthat the driver or chauffeur has properly placed his indicator 16, aswill be readily understood and needs no further explanation.

From the foregoing disclosure of the construction and arrangement of theimprovement and manner of applying the same, it will be seen that allthe objects and advantages recited in the statement of invention harebeen fully and efficiently carried out, and while I have shown anddescribed my preferred form or modification, it will be apparent thatmany changes will readily suggest themselves without in any Waycleparting from the salient features herein disclosed and embodied inthe scope of the claims.

What I claim is 1. The combination of a taximeter, a signal, anindicator in juxtaposition to the signal and controlling the operationor inoperation of the taximeter, and means on said indicator foreclipsing said signal when said indicator is in a position to cause theinoperation of the taximeter.

2. The combination of a taximeter, a signal a movable indicator injuxtaposition to the signal and controlling the operation or moperation'of the taximeter, and means on said indicator for making said signalinoperative when said indicator is in a. position to cause theinoperation of the taximeter.

The combination of a taximeter a signal secured to said taximeter, anindicator pivoted to said taximeter and in juxtaposition to said signaland controlling the operation or inoperation of the taximeter, and meanson said indicator for .eclipsing said signal when said indicatoris in aposition to cause the inoperation of. the taximeter.

4e. The combination of a taximeter, a sig nal light, a movable armcontrolling the operation or inoperation of the taximeter, and means onsaid arm for coveringsaid signal light when said arm is in a position tocause the inoperation of the taximeteix;

The combination of a taximeter, a signal light, a movable arm pivoted onsaid taximeter and controlling the operation or inoperation of thetaximeter, and means controlled by said arm for covering. said signallight when said arm isin a position to cause the inoperation of the'taximeter.

6. The combination of a taximeter, a signal light, a movable arm pivotedon said taximeter and in juxtaposition to said light and controlling theoperation or inoperation of the taximeter, and a hood carried by saidarm for covering said signal light when said arm is in a position tocause the inoperation of the taximeter.

7. The combination of a taximeter, a signal light, an oscillating armcarrying an indicator and hood and controlling the operation orinoperation of the 'taximeter, said hood on said arm covering up' thesignal light when said arm is in its inoperative position.

8. The combination of a taximeter, an up right signal light secured tothe taximeter, an opaque casing surrounding the lower section of saidsignal light an oscillating arm carrying an indicator and hood andcontrolhug the operation or inoperation of the taximeter, said hood onsaid arm covering up the upper section of the signal light notsurrounded by the casing when said arm is in its inoperative position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aftix'my signature.

HOWARD B. HEWITT.

